GG throws his weight behind O’Neill

Papua New Guinea’s political crisis appears closer to a resolution with Governor General Michael Ogio admitting it was a mistake to have sworn in a ministry headed by reinstated prime minister
Michael Somare
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Mr Ogio’s reversal would appear to make it more likely that Peter O’Neill will continue to assert himself as prime minister at the expense of his rival, in what has the makings of the last stages of the crisis.

At a meeting at Government House in Port Moresby yesterday Mr Ogio hugged members of Mr O’Neill’s team and toasted their success in champagne in a remarkable turnaround from last week when he swore in Somare ministers.

“My conclusion to swear in the Somare government in law was wrong and invalid,’’ said Mr Ogio, a Somare appointee. PNG’s short-lived political and constitutional crisis is likely to head back to the courts for a final resolution, but the O’Neill forces are continuing to strengthen their position and so exert pressure on Sir Michael to relinquish his bid to remain prime minister. The crisis was precipitated when the Supreme Court found on December 12 that constitutional processes were invalid when Mr O’Neill was elected prime minister on August 2 in the absence of Sir Michael who was in Singapore undergoing heart surgery.

Explaining his strange about-face, Mr Ogio said the advice he had received before swearing in Sir Michael’s minister was flawed.

“I did not take into account Parliament’s decision to remove Sir Michael on December 9 this year,’’ he said. “I recognise the election of Peter O’Neill as prime minister, I confirm he was sworn legally and correctly.’’

Mr O’Neill told reporters gathered at the Government House: “This is a perfect Christmas present for the nation.’’

Mr Ogio himself has had a stay of execution having been re-confirmed in his job by Mr O’Neill after his sacking last week and replacement by the parliamentary speaker who, as acting head of state, had sworn in an O’Neill ministry.

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The bizarre happenings in Australia’s closest neighbour and second largest aid recipient will not engender confidence in PNG’s stability, but the fact that a crisis appears to have been averted without bloodshed suggests the country’s institutions are relatively resilient.

Mr O’Neill moved decisively at the weekend to assert his control over the business of government. He has an overwhelming majority in Parliament and has used this ruthlessly to exert pressure on his ageing rival.

The Somare camp will be considering its position, but apart from legal redress its options appear limited. The military refuses to become involved and the police force is apparently unified behind the O’Neill camp.